DISCOVERING THE
CARIBBEAN
Diamond Cruise 2017
11 – 18 March 2017
Welcome to St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
Though it’s only 32 square miles in size, St. Thomas has a million miles’ worth of things to do. Go shopping and sailing,
snorkeling and sightseeing, or diving and dining. Enjoy the island’s world-renowned golf course, picture-perfect beaches and
spectacular nightlife. Take the Skyride 700 feet above the city or climb the famous 99 Steps of Charlotte Amalie for an
incomparable view of the Caribbean. And if you’re interested in culture and history, don’t miss seeing the second-oldest
synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, the 1680-built Fort Christian or the childhood home of Camille Pissarro, one of the
best-known French Impressionists.
Exciting Things to See and Do
Shop till you drop
Find great deals on duty-free jewelry, timepieces, and
electronics along Charlotte Amalie’s Main Street—but don’t
forget to pick up some locally made crafts as well.
Hit the links
Play through the “Devil’s Triangle,” an intimidating cliff-side trio
of holes at Mahogany Run Golf Course.
Take a dip
Swim at Magen’s Bay, considered by many to be one of the
most beautiful beaches in the world.
99 Steps
This staircase “street,” built by the Danes in the 1700s, leads
to the residential area above Charlotte Amalie and to
Blackbeard’s Castle, a U.S. national historic landmark. If you
count the stairs as you go up, you’ll discover, as thousands
have before you, that there are more than the name implies.
Butterfly Garden
Step into this 10,000-square-foot mesh enclosure and watch
hundreds of colorful, exotic butterflies flutter all around you. A
25-minute tour takes you through their life cycle. Outside the
enclosure, you can wander a garden of native plants designed
to attract local butterflies and hummingbirds. The butterflies
are most active in the morning. If you’re a photographer, you’ll
probably prefer the afternoon, when the butterflies move more
slowly and are more easily captured in pictures.
Welcome to St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
Exciting Things to See and Do
Currency in St. Thomas
As a U.S. territory, the currency is the U.S. dollar.
Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found
throughout the island. Most establishments accept
credit cards and traveler’s checks. The
most widely accepted credit cards are Visas and
MasterCard.
What Language is Spoken in St. Thomas?
Coki Beach
Funky beach huts selling local foods such as pâtés (fried
turnovers with a spicy ground-beef filling), quaint vendor
kiosks, and a brigade of hair braiders and taxi men make this
beach overlooking picturesque Thatch Cay feel like an
amusement park. But this is the best place on the island to
snorkel and scuba dive. Fish, including grunts, snappers, and
wrasses, are like an effervescent cloud you can wave your
hand through. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking;
showers; restrooms; watersports.
Did you know?
The Caribbean comprises more than 700 islands, islets, reefs
and caves. The islands are divided into different island
groups. There’s:
t he Lucayan Archipelago (f.e. the Bahamas)
t he Greater Antilles (f.e. Cuba)
t he Lesser Antilles, with sub island groups the Leeward
Antilles (f.e. Aruba), the Leeward Islands (f.e.Antigua) and
the Windward Islands (f.e. Grenada)
English is the official language, but you can definitely
detect the sound of colorful dialects and expressions
that may take time to get accustomed to. Spanish is
also commonly spoken.
Getting Around the Island
USVI taxis charge per person and have set prices.
Drivers usually take multiple fares, especially from the
airport, ferry docks, and the cruise-ship terminal. Most
taxis are either safari-style or enclosed, airconditioned vans. They can be hailed on the street
(especially in town and near major shopping malls and
attractions) and can also be called by telephone.
There are taxi stands in Charlotte Amalie across from
Emancipation Garden (in front of Little Switzerland,
behind the post office) and along the waterfront. V.I.
Taxi Association has exclusive rights to pick up
customers at Cyril E. King Airport, Havensight Cruise
Ship Dock, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort, Sugar
Bay Resort, and Sapphire Beach Resort.
Welcome to Tortola, B.V.I.
Tortola, B.V.I.
Powdery white-sand beaches, lush green mountains, and sheltered, yacht-filled harbours characterize the island of Tortola,
the BVI’s largest and capital island. The past of the West Indies and the present-day BVI mix and mingle with ruins existing
alongside the luxury resorts that draw visitors from around the world.
Swim or stroll the secluded palm-shaded white sands of
dozens of beaches, including Apple Bay, Brewer’s Bay,
Smuggler’s Cove, Long Bay Beach, Elizabeth Beach and
Josiah’s Bay Beach to name just a few.
If watersports or fishing are more your style, don’t miss the
protected anchorages at Brandywine Bay, Soper’s Hole and
Trellis Bay and surfing Cane Garden Bay or game fishing the
North and South Drops
Warm, friendly and hospitable, Tortola has a wide variety of
places to stay, ranging from luxury resorts and private villas to
a scenic campground.
Step away from the sand just long enough to discover Tortola’s
history with a visit to the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works
Museum, Fort Burt, Mount Healthy Windmill, Callwood’s Rum
Distillery, J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens, Old Government House
Museum and VI Folk Museum.
Exploring the Best of Tortola
Dolphin Discovery
Get up close and personal with dolphins as they swim in a
spacious seaside pen. There are three different programs. In
the Royal Swim, dolphins tow participants around the pen.
The less expensive Adventure and Discovery programs allow
you to touch the dolphins.
Long Bay Beach West
This beach is a stunning, mile-long stretch of white sand; have
your camera ready to snap the breathtaking approach.
Although Long Bay Resort sprawls along part of it, the entire
beach is open to the public. The water isn’t as calm here as at
Cane Garden or Brewers Bay, but it’s still swimmable. Rent
water-sports equipment and enjoy the beachfront restaurant
at the resort. Turn left at Zion Hill Road; then travel about half a
mile. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; water sports. Best for:
swimming.
Smuggler’s Cove Beach
A beautiful, palm-fringed beach, Smuggler’s Cove is down a
pothole-filled dirt road. After bouncing your way down, you’ll
feel as if you’ve found a hidden piece of the island. You
probably won’t be alone on weekends, though, when the
beach fills with snorkelers and sunbathers. There’s a fine view
of Jost Van Dyke from the shore. The beach is popular with
Long Bay Resort guests who want a change of scenery.
Follow Long Bay Road past Long Bay Resort, keeping to the
roads nearest the water until you reach the beach. It’s about a
mile past the resort. Amenities: parking. Best for: snorkeling;
swimming.
Fort Burt
The most intact historic ruin on Tortola was built by the Dutch
in the early 17th century to safeguard Road Harbour. It sits on
a hill at the western edge of Road Town and is now the site of
a small hotel and restaurant. The foundations and magazine
remain, and the structure offers a commanding view of the
harbor.
Welcome to Tortola, B.V.I.
Exploring the Best of Tortola
Currency in Tortola
Currency in Tortola is not the E.C. (Eastern Caribbean)
dollar like many would assume. In fact, Tortola and
all of the BVI islands use the U.S. Dollar as their
primary form of currency. There are many banks found
on the island that can assist in exchanging money at
any time.
J.R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens
Take a walk through this 4-acre showcase of lush plant life.
There are sections devoted to prickly cacti and succulents,
hothouses for ferns and orchids, gardens of medicinal herbs,
and plants and trees indigenous to the seashore. From the
tourist office in Road Town, cross Waterfront Drive and walk
one block over to Main Street and turn right. Keep walking
until you see the high school. The gardens are on your left.
Soper’s Hole
On this little island connected by a causeway to Tortola’s
western end, you can find a marina and a captivating complex
of pastel West Indian–style buildings with shady balconies,
shuttered windows, and gingerbread trim that house art
galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Pusser’s Landing is a
lively place to stop for a cold drink (many are made with
Pusser’s famous rum) and a sandwich, and to watch the
boats in the harbor.
Language in Tortola
English is the official language of the BVI and Tortola
island, though it is spoken with a West Indian lilt and
woven with local slang.
Tortola Island Driving
Driving on Tortola island is British-style, on the lefthand side. So we encourage you to hire a tax when
needed. Taxis are a reliable and affordable method of
transportation in the BVI. No matter what your travel
requires, you’ll find a taxi to accommodate you – from
open-air safari buses, to enclosed air-conditioned
buses and smaller passenger vehicles. In the BVI,
taxis are for more than just point A to point B: they’re
some of the most popular methods of touring our
beautiful landscapes quickly and comfortably. Whether
you are looking for a ride to the beach or a trip around
one the island, taxis and water taxis help you make
it happen.
Welcome to Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas
Hidden among a group of islands poised between the Atlantic and Caribbean—and only a few hundred miles from the United
States’ southern coast of Florida—Nassau Paradise Island has sheltered everyone from pirates and freed slaves to blockade
runners, rum smugglers and runaway lovers over the centuries. And although times are peaceful now, we still cherish a
tradition of people making their own rules under sunny skies.
It’s Better in the Bahamas
The Beaches
With so many stretches of beautiful beaches—and miles upon
miles of powdery white sands as soft as fine sugar—there’s
always a perfect place for you to lie back, relax and enjoy in
The Bahamas. And with sunshine 300 days a year and water
temperatures averaging 80 degrees, there’s almost always a
gorgeous day of sun and fun waiting for you on Nassau
Paradise Island.
From Pirates of the Caribbean to James Bond’s Casino
Royale and Thunderball: Nassau Paradise Island’s long
stretches of sugar-fine white sand and warm azure waters
have appeared as the gorgeous backdrop to some of the
most iconic films in the world.
Diving & Snorkeling
Stuart Cove’s Snorkel Bahamas
Billed as the world’s most exciting snorkeling adventure,
Stuart Cove’s Snorkel Bahamas allows you to explore
underwater. Visit up to three locations on a single voyage,
including shallow reefs and a shipwreck used to make the
James Bond films, For Your Eyes Only and Never Say
Never Again.
Taste of the Bahamas
Be sure to sample conch, one of our most popular foods.
Enjoy it raw with lime juice, in a salad, or in deep-fried conch
fritters or cracked conch. You can find conch on most
restaurant menus in The Bahamas.
Stuart Cove’s Extreme Shark Adventure
One of the highlights for divers at Stuart Cove’s is the Extreme
Shark Adventure—a two-tank dive trip that takes you on an
underwater encounter with Caribbean Reef Sharks. On the
first dive, you’ll participate in a free swim with the sharks, while
on the second dive, watch as a professional shark feeder
enters the water with a box of bait. Then be prepared to be in
shock and awe, as the waters fill with Caribbean Reef Sharks!
Welcome to Nassau, Bahamas
It’s Better in the Bahamas
Currency in the Bahamas
Stingray and Beach Day
This experience is the perfect opportunity to get up-close with
stingrays right from the beach as you enjoy a private island
getaway. The Southern Stingray can grow up to four feet in
diameter and Balmoral Island is the only location in Nassau
where you can interact with this species of ray.
Atlantis Aquaventure – Half Day
Come play at Atlantis Aquaventure, a one-of-a-kind 141-acre
water park. Containing over 20 million gallons of water, this
non-stop water experience consists of thrilling water slides, a
mile-long river ride with high intensity rapids, wave surges and
special effects. The excursion also includes access to their
huge, open-air marine habitat where you can find over
50,000 fascinating sea creatures.
Seahorse Sail & Snorkel
This tour offers the ideal combination of sailing and snorkeling.
After a short stroll, you’ll board your catamaran, which features
a shaded lounge and spacious deck, for a cruise through
historic Nassau Harbor en route to one of two spectacular
reefs. Here, you’ll see natural coral reefs teaming with the
ocean’s wildlife on a snorkel adventure.
The Bahamian dollar is on par with the US dollar – no
need to exchange currency! Visa, MasterCard, and
most debit cards are also widely accepted throughout
Nassau Paradise Island, as well as travelers’ checks.
Banks in The Bahamas are open Monday-Thursday
from 9:30-3:00 and on Fridays 9:30-5:00. Most
restaurant and bar bills in The Bahamas have a
15% gratuity added so you don’t need to leave a tip,
unless the service was exceptional and you’d like to
leave something extra.
Language in the Bahamas
English is spoken everywhere in The Bahamas. No
Rosetta Stone required – you’ll be able to
communicate with everyone!
Getting Around Nassau
Stay left! Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road in
The Bahamas, which can be a tricky adjustment for
North American drivers. Consider cabs or car service
rather than renting cars or scooters to avoid unfamiliar
driving practices.
Fun Bahamas Fact:
The sparkling turquoise waters of The Bahamas are as
remarkable from the sky as they are from land. In fact,
astronaut Chris Hatfield has said The Bahamas’ waters
were his favorite view from the International Space
Station.
Did You Know?
About only 2% of the Caribbean Islands are actually
inhabited.